New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-07-19
INTERSTATE HE1RIYGS AND DECISIONS

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its formal hearings Of complaints and argu-
ments In nearly all cases it Is diihcult for
the public to see what good the Commission
does by this formality. In many cases, as
in that of the St. Paul and Manitoba Rail-
road, which answered complaint by showing
that its acts in question were prior to the
date on which the Interstate law went into
effect, the only possible result would seem to
be a public and formally announced dismissal
of the complaint, in order to justify the COM
pany in public opinion, and to warn other
compliments against wasting the time OF the
Commission with frivolous or ill-founded
charges. But the Commission in this case,
and apparently in others, adopted an indirect
course which appears TO avoid virtual censure
Of unfounded complaints, and virtual jlstifca-
ton of company wrongly accused. though
il Is said to be legally equivalent to dis
mssal. Prompt and public decision against
unreasonable complaints will be found neccs-
sary to save the proceedings Of the Commits
sion from becoming farce.
In another largo number OF cases decisions
arc reserved. The public gets brief announce
ments Of evidence and argument on each
side, and is prepared TO accept as just de-
cision for or against a company but none Is
then rendered. This also tends to deprive
the proceedings Of public interest and conf
dencc, and might, therefore, be wisely avoided
where it is practicable. Cases do arise in
which Judge cannot give decision without
study and delay. But in number Of cases
which have been reported from Washington
the public is unable to see why final order
could not have been made instantly as well
as at any later date. The arrangement
adopted by the Commission for It's work
seems to be unfortunate its separate and
private sessions each day for consultation
and decision Of cases prevent action at a time
when the evidence and argument On qucs-
ton arc fresh in the minds of the Commits
sion and the public. While it may be I'M
avoidablc, the tendency OF this arrangement
is to lessen public confidence in a body
which apy ears unable TO answer without in
definite delay questions Of the simplest char
acter.
For some time past the Commission has
taken no action, so far as the public have
observed Of general interest or importance.
II is quite possible that the reports have not
done entire Justice to the Commission, but
its mode Of reaching and announcing Its
action is in part the cause Of possible mis-
apprehension. Tho Commission is going 10
take another vacation in August; that is. it
will then suspend it's sessions and hearings
at Washington, and visit various points in
the Eastern States, presumably to gather in
formation But on the one question OF vital
importance which the Commission has failed
70 answer thus far, and which in It's long de-
cision en- water competition it mentioned as
one which would be subsequently considered,
namely, whether competition between differ
ent railroads constitutes such dissimilarity
in circumstances and conditions as TO render
the fourth section Of the act imperative, the
Commission might well take action before its
adjournment For the decision OF Judge
Deadly, of Oregon, has already been mado
the basis of action by number Of railroads,
and if the Commission intends to construe
the act differently. it ought to be prepared
to make known the fact without much fur
thar de,ay